New Challenge To Primordial Soup Theory

"[J.B.S Haldane]proposed that the Earth's early atmosphere was composed of simple gases like methane and ammonia. And they would react together under the influence of ultraviolet rays or lightning to produce a thin 'soup' " which became thicker over time " of organic molecules," Lane says.

Those molecules formed amino acids, so the theory goes, which are the building blocks of the proteins from which all life has evolved.

But, Lane says, it turns out that the planet's early atmosphere might not have contained much methane or ammonia after all.

Instead of atmospheric gases and lightning, Lane's team proposes that deep-sea, alkaline hydrothermal vents powered life's predecessors.

At these vents, warm fluids percolate up through the ocean floor. When they react to ocean water, they form tiny, inorganic cells. Lane says these cells produce energy the same way that living cells do today: by harnessing chemical gradients across a membrane. [...]

"We think that the first cells could not have left these vents unless they'd found a way of tapping into these gradients that were naturally existing there, and then later on learning to generate their own."

Neither explain how life began, just how amino acids formed

Is the "primordial soup" theory " the idea that life emerged from a prebiotic broth " past its expiration date? (emphasis added -- T.)

Lane's team proposes that deep-sea, alkaline hydrothermal vents powered life's predecessors.